
An atmospheric survey of pressure patterns affecting weather at the Caldos colony
Weather is the day-to-day natural environmental processes within the lower atmosphere of a planet. Weather was characterized by the present or future conditions such as heat/cold, humid/dry, fair/cloudy, or calm/stormy in any one area. Patterns or trends in weather conditions were used to determine a region's climate.
Weather was monitored by weather scans or weather satellites in orbit of a planet, and count be used to view areas of the planet in real-time. In addition to the weather, such satellites could be used to record additional information like maps, plants, and animals. (TOS: "Court Martial", "Assignment: Earth", LD: "The Inner Fight")
Study of Weather[]
Meteorology is a field of science that involves the study of the atmosphere and its phenomena, with focus on weather processes and forecasting. One who studies in this field is known as a meteorologist.
The weather was then reported to the inhabitants in some cases, such as on Kelemane's planet where weather coordinators notified their regions of weather events. On Sikaris in the 24th century, they used atmospheric sensors to detect weather by interpreting the frequencies of the chimes.(VOY: "Blink of an Eye", "Prime Factors")
By the 24th century, technologies such as a weather control system or a Weather Modification Net could be used to control the weather on a planet, as was the case on Caldos, Corazonia, Hekaras II, Risa, and Earth during the late-24th century. The Denobulan Doctor Hitoroshi Kreel built weather modification towers, some of which were built to mimic natural rock formations that seeded clouds with silver iodide. (TNG: "True Q", "Sub Rosa", "Force of Nature", DIS: "Whistlespeak")
Without this technology, some planets had harsh climates. For example, when Risa's weather modification network was shut down in 2373, several lightning storms quickly formed with thunder and rain. Corazonia, an artificial megastructure, experienced rivers running backwards and blue skies turning to blizzards when its environment control computer Vexilon began to fail. (DS9: "Let He Who Is Without Sin...", LD: "In the Cradle of Vexilon")
One of the goals of Project Genesis was to change the weather of the target planet, by changing the temperature and introducing precipitation, thereby allowing plants and animals to live on the target planet. (Star Trek III: The Search for Spock)
Effects[]

A survival suit (left), blanket (right), and gloves to ward off cold
Clothing was helpful in withstanding the effects of adverse weather conditions. In Data's early days, he avoided wearing clothing, believing it to be illogical as he didn't suffer from the elements, unlike organics. Conditioning agents could be used similarly to protect hair from wind and dry air. However, in extremely harsh conditions (such as those on Class Y planet) even environmental suits could deteriorate. (TNG: "Inheritance", "Schisms", VOY: "Demon")
The variable nature of weather allowed weather reports to be used on Earth during its World War II to transmit codes among various resistance groups. (VOY: "The Killing Game")
Even though weather could at times be dangerous and even deadly, weather was considered idiomatically to be a benign topic of conversation. "Hot weather" could likewise be used to describe a difficult situation that came with the danger of being criticized or otherwise being in trouble.
In addition, "weather" was sometimes used to describe turbulent conditions in space, such as plasma or ion storms. These storms could cause damage, blind sensors, or redirect a ship's course. (VOY: "Demon", "Once Upon a Time", "Author, Author", DIS: "Labyrinths")
By Planet[]
Arkaria had interesting weather patterns with mean temperatures slightly above the average Human comfort level, though it could also be cold and damp, producing muddy conditions. (TNG: "Starship Mine")
An unstable moon in the Badlands had unfavorable weather conditions for Bajorans. (DS9: "Heart of Stone")
Bajor's Dakur Province had harsh weather conditions that made it difficult to grow crops. (DS9: "Shakaar")
Caldos, one of the United Federation of Planets' first terraforming projects, had weather controls since the 23rd century. The colony in the northern hemisphere was intended to recreate the Scottish Highlands and did not experience rainstorms in the summer. (TNG: "Sub Rosa")
Corazonia was an artificial megastructure with a climate controlled by an environmental computer called Vexilon. The weather on Corazonia was typically considered "perfect" and predictable. (LD: "In the Cradle of Vexilon")
One of the planets in a binary star system in the Delta Quadrant could have unpredictable weather that made piloting a shuttlecraft difficult. (VOY: "Coda")
Denobula experienced massive storms until the installation of weather modification towers. (DIS: "Whistlespeak")
Some inhabitants of Earth in the 19th century considered the ability to change the weather to be an "unholy magic." Later, in the 20th century they would use weather balloons to monitor weather. The planet used a weather modification net by the late 24th century, that prevented weather events like tornadoes. The changeable nature of weather often affected the native Humans' moods, and this featured in songs and poetry from the planet, such as "Stormy Weather." (TNG: "True Q", DS9: "Little Green Men", VOY: "Future's End", DIS: "Stormy Weather")
Halem'no had massive dust storms on the planet until weather modification towers were built to manufacture rain and emit a low-grade force field to shield the planet's only habitable region from the storms. (DIS: "Whistlespeak")
J'naii's weather cycle included a cold period which affected some of the native flora, included the menellen tree. (TNG: "The Outcast")
Jouret IV was the location of the New Providence colony, and had weather systems that could have affected soil readings as it moved across the surface. (TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds")
The planet Kataan, which was destroyed in the 14th century, experienced drastic changes in weather patterns in the decades leading up to its destruction. Among these changes was a severe drought due to increased solar radiation, though there may have been enough water remaining in the air such that atmospheric condensers would have been able to extract water from it. This solar radiation became damaging to the organisms that lived on the planet. (TNG: "The Inner Light")
Kelis' homeworld in the Delta Quadrant had rain, storms, and blue skies, as well as a winter season. Autarchs were said to start wars whenever there was good weather. (VOY: "Muse")
The Kohl settlement planet underwent severe weather changes when a major solar flare in 2353 caused a glacial freeze on the planet's surface. It was rendered uninhabitable for fifteen years. By 2372, the planet's biosphere was recovering. (VOY: "The Thaw")
The nights in the capital city of Quarra were quite cold. (VOY: "Workforce")
Risa was climate-controlled for optimum tourist comfort. In its natural state, Risa was a rainy jungle. After the weather grid was installed, certain areas never experienced rain, and instead had perpetually warm water and sweet-smelling wind. . (TNG: "The Mind's Eye", DS9: "Let He Who Is Without Sin...")
The weather of the ice age of Sarpeidon was severely cold such that most plants were unable to survive. Hot springs could keep certain sheltered areas warm enough for animals to survive and greenhouses to be constructed. (TOS: "All Our Yesterdays")
The obscure planet Sherbal V had unusual weather that was studied by a weather satellite in its orbit. It had electrical and glass storms that rained shards of glass. It was generally considered inhospitable because of this and the lack of fruit-bearing trees. (LD: "The Inner Fight")
Talax had ion storms from time to time. A holographic recreation of the Paxau Resort on the planet featured favorable conditions for hydrosailing. (VOY: "Alter Ego", "Fair Haven")
Trill could be sunny and pleasant near the Caves of Mak'ala where the Trill symbionts lived. (DS9: "Equilibrium")
The home planet of the symbiogenetic alien orchid had weather unsuitable for flying shuttlecraft at night. (VOY: "Tuvix")
Types of weather phenomena[]
Planetary[]
- Clouds
- Coriolis force
- Fog
- Heat wave
- Humidity
- Hurricane
- Ice storm
- Pressure
- Rain
- Rainbow
- Snow
- Storms
- Storm belt
- Storm front
- Tornado
- Typhoon
- Wind